Dean: Rooms of Elsinore

Brett Dean's "Rooms of Elsinore" is a captivating journey through the musical landscape inspired by Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, Hamlet. Released on August 23, 2024, this chamber music album is a collection of five distinct works that serve as character sketches and musical explorations, each standing on its own while collectively offering a profound dive into the world of Elsinore.

The album opens with "And once I played Ophelia," a five-movement suite that vividly portrays the complex emotions and states of mind of the tragic character Ophelia. Each movement, from the breathless urgency of the first to the austere slowness of the last, paints a poignant picture.

"Rooms of Elsinore" continues with a series of pieces that evoke the various settings and atmospheres of the castle, each room telling its own story. From the ominous "The Dark Gate" to the solemn "The Chapel," these compositions create a rich tapestry of sound that immerses the listener in the dramatic world of the opera.

The album also includes "Gertrude Fragments," a series of musical vignettes inspired by the words and actions of Queen Gertrude, and "Confessio," a solo piece that delves into the psychological depth of the characters. The final section, "The Players," brings the album to a close with a fanfare and a pantomime, encapsulating the theatrical essence of the opera.

With a duration of 1 hour and 19 minutes, this album is a testament to Brett Dean's mastery of chamber music and his ability to translate the complexities of Shakespeare's characters and settings into a musical narrative. Recorded in 2019 and released under the BIS label, "Rooms of Elsinore" is a must-listen for fans of classical and contemporary chamber music, offering a unique and immersive experience that brings the world of Hamlet to life through sound.